This week marks

the anniversary of the publication of Lewis Caroll's "Alice in Wonderland,"

the story of a girl who goes down a rabbit hole, through the looking glass

and into a world that gets curiouser and curiouser. This classic tale

has been presented in many forms since its creation and continues to be

a favorite amongst children of all ages.

But I wonder

where all the controversy is. After all, there are supposedly many drug

references in the story. The caterpillar smokes an opium-like substance

on top of a mushroom and different mushrooms do different things to Alice.

Why is this story about altered perceptions and alternate realities suitable

for children, but other books (like Harry Potter, for instance) are constantly

picked on and debated.

Where are the

protests surrounding "The Wizard of Oz?" Do we want our children

believing that scarecrows, tin men and lions can walk and talk like human

beings, all the while witches and flying monkeys hunt down these beings

and their human friend? Why not attack "The Once and Future King?"

Merlin is a wizard, who uses his magic frequently.

Magic is obviously

a dangerous and evil thing. In fact, arrest David Copperfield and Siegfried

and Roy. They are responsible for the moral decay of this nation.

I think "Alice

and Wonderland" is a fine book, though I must admit I am much more

familiar with the film and television versions. There are obvious drug

references though and it never lead me to try smoking opium like the caterpillar

or to eat strange mushrooms in the forest. After all, it is just a story.

I don't try

to run into tornados to be whisked to Oz either and I don't believe that

I am really an orphaned wizard, about to be taken to a wizardry school.

These stories are fantastic pieces of fiction. More than that, they are

fun.

People that

are afraid their children will turn to black magic if they read a book

or see a movie have little faith in their children and no faith in their

ability as parents. Let kids read books and decide for themselves. Try

to lead them to books you liked and be available for questions as they

read. Before you get in an uproar over the content of a book corrupting

your child, see if they even get past the first chapter.

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